Bolava Vitthal returns to Bengaluru, celebrating 16 years of a shared Bhakti tradition

BENGALURU, JULY 6, 2026 – To mark the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, Pancham Nishad Creatives is bringing the 16th Bengaluru edition of Bolava Vitthal to Chowdiah Memorial Hall on Friday, 17 July 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Curated by Shashi Vyas, Founder and Director of Pancham Nishad Creatives, this year’s concert brings together celebrated vocalists Jayateerth Mevundi and Aarya Ambekar to honor the timeless Abhangs of great saint-poets, bridging the rich Bhakti heritage of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Bolava Vitthal was first conceived in Mumbai back in 2005 and made its way to Bengaluru in 2010, quickly cementing itself as a cherished annual tradition. The choice of Bengaluru is deeply rooted in history: Maharashtra and Karnataka share more than just geographical borders—they share a profound spiritual devotion to Lord Vitthal. Where Maharashtra’s Varkari movement gave us the enduring poetry of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Tukaram, Sant Namdev, Sant Janabai, Sant Chokhamela, and Sant Eknath, Karnataka’s Haridasa tradition, led by Saint Purandara Dasa, carries that exact same devotional spirit through music.

Over the last sixteen years, Bolava Vitthal has grown into a unique cultural crossroads, drawing audiences from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds to experience the poetry, philosophy, and music of the Bhakti movement.

QUOTES

Aarya Ambekar, Vocalist: “For me, singing these Abhangs is like building a bridge across generations. The poetry of the saints is incredibly simple, but it carries such a deep sense of love and complete surrender. Every single time I perform them on stage, I feel like I’m tapping into something timeless that still beautifully connects with people today.”

Jayateerth Mevundi, Vocalist: “When you sing an Abhang, it’s not just a musical performance—it’s an offering. The stage really turns into a sacred space where the music and Bhakti become one. For a singer, the greatest joy is that moment of purity when the audience completely connects with the saint’s words. That is when the music truly achieves its purpose.”

Supporting the vocalists on stage is an exceptional ensemble of accompanying musicians. The performance will feature the brilliance of Prasad Padhye on Tabla, Sukhad Munde on Pakhawaj, Aditya Oke on Harmonium, Sunil Kumar on Flute, and Apurv Dravid providing additional rhythms, collectively elevating the spiritual and musical experience of the evening.

Shashi Vyas, Founder & Director of Pancham Nishad Creatives: “When we started Bolava Vitthal, the idea was actually very simple—we just wanted to take these incredible Abhangs out of traditional temple courtyards and bring that same spiritual energy onto the concert stage. Choosing Bengaluru felt so right because the devotion to Lord Vitthal is already so deeply rooted here, both in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Over the last 16 years, what’s been truly rewarding is seeing how the people here haven’t just attended the concert—they’ve made it a part of their own annual tradition.”

EVENT DETAILS

• Program – “Bolava Vitthal”- An evening of Abhangs
• Date: Friday, 17 July 2026
• Time: 6:30 p.m. (Seating by 6
• Venue: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bengaluru
• Tickets: www.bookmyshow.com
• Queries: WhatsApp only – +91 70455 97505

About Pancham Nishad Creatives

Founded in 1996 by Shashi Vyas, Pancham Nishad Creatives is one of India’s premier cultural organizations dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich heritage of Indian classical music and performing arts. Over the last three decades, the organization has curated and produced numerous critically acclaimed, large-scale music festivals and unique thematic concerts across India. By transitioning traditional art forms from intimate settings to grand public stages, Pancham Nishad has played a pivotal role in making classical music, devotional traditions like Bolava Vitthal, and folk arts accessible and deeply engaging for modern, diverse audiences across generations.